My love, Chris Norton

Chris and I went to Panama on 11/17 to spend Thanksgiving with his Dad, Bob, and his stepmother, Pam. On Thanksgiving Day Chris and I went to this secluded beach in Playa Barqueta, a beach we had been to before and come to love. We bought a couple of beers, FaceTimed the boys at the same time, and then went body surfing in the shallow-ish waters - just really enjoying some much wanted time alone together. Unexpectedly, a rip tide snatched us both, Chris yelled at me to parallel swim left, which we both did, but…

Sadly, more sadly than words can ever express…I made it to shore. Alone. A regret I will have for the rest of my life. I am just so sorry.

I cannot even express the magnitude of this nightmare in words. He was THE most amazing and wonderful and smart and caring and intelligent and sweet and kind and beautiful and brave and sparkly person any of us knew. He would have given you his shoes and walked barefoot, he would have given you the shirt off his back, he would have given you his last dime. He was my heart outside of my body.

I cannot say “the word” yet so I hope you understand the outcome of our trip from the cryptic meaning in this message.

From one minute to the next I can barely breath, my air and my heart were ripped out of my chest along with so many others. Please keep the boys, Ryan and Zach, and Chris’s many many friends and family, especially his Mom and Dad, in your prayers, we will all need them.

As any of you know that have walked this journey before, there are just so many expenses being thrown at us...Chris and I thought we had time to build our kingdom, I can't be sorry enough that I was not prepared. We are needing to pay for a Probate Attorney, the memorial services, 3-6 months of mortgage payments (we are trying to get the house on the market but can't of course until Probate is done, ugh), utilities, the list goes on.

Please don't feel obligated - just the fact that all of you have been there for me throughout this life of mine is enough for me, you all have truly gotten me through some of the worst days of my life just by being you and by being there. If you do want to give money, remember that every dollar adds up...please do not over extend yourselves.

I can't even say the words "thank you" because they're just not enough. Just know that I absolutely adore having you in my life.